Cable pull overshot



July 29, 1941. A. BOYNTON 2,250,463

' CABLE PULL OVERSHOT Filed Nov. 28, 193,8 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ALEXANDER BOY/VTOV/V,

ATTORNEYS.

July 29,1941. A N N 2,250,463

CABLE PULL OYER SHOT Filed Nov. .28, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s ALEXANDER BOY/V TO/V,

A TTOR/VE rs.

'-Serlal Nos. 233,238, filed October 4, 1938;

Patented July 29, 1941 stares PATENT orric canon rust. ovaasnor Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex.

Application November 28,1938, Serial No. 242,779 13 Claims. (or. 287-103) My invention relates generally to means for operating wire line well testing devices and of inserting and removing drill bits, core barrels,

and other equipment adapted to be'insertedandwithdrawn through the drill pipe commonly employed in drilling wells by the rotary method.

Other uses for this tool will be to plant explosives in wells, release tools that sometimes hang or become stuck, recover recording instruments often left for a time in wells, and perform other useful services whenever a tool/is needed to place anything in a well and leave it permanently or to place anything in a well, leave it for a time, by removing the cable or pipe by which it was lowered, and later recovering the thing so left. This invention is particularly adapted to be used in connection with construction disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,217,043 of October 8, 1940, and my copending applications, and 233,239, filed October 4, 1938.

In operating wire line well testing devices, such purposes, as will be more fully explained.

One or more horizontally positioned pins are employedto guide the male and female members of the device into engagement so that one or more lugs in the female member are positioned under the head of the male member at the time when the cable pull raises the piston or releases the bit,

core barrel, or other part, as the case maybe. Whether the device is in position to transmit a.

pull on thelower member or to turn the lower member loose when the cable is tightened depends upon the position of the lug or lugs and pin or pins with referenceto the slots; and the position of the lugs and pin with reference to the slots is determined by the number of pins and number of changes in direction of the slots. If the male and female members are assembled when lowered into the drill pipe, the position of the pins in the slots at such time will determine whether the male and female members will remainengaged or become disengaged by the first or subsequent pulls on the cable after the device I attain the foregoing objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an outside view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in the drill pipe, shown in vertical section, just before the male and fe- "-1 a, Fig. 15.

male member of the device have become engaged or just after they have become disengaged.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device, shown in Fig. 1, just as the upper assembly attached to a steel cable has landed upon a lower memberwhich transmits the cable pull to the mechanism engaged thereby.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionomthe line 4-6,

Fig. 6.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-3, Fi 6.

Fig. 61s a longitudinal view partly in section and partly in outside view 0! the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, engaged to transmit the cable pull to the mechanism to be moved thereby.

Fig. l is a development showing the slots in the actuator segment shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6,

the position'of the actuator segment correspond-' ing to its position in Figs. 1 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a modified form of a portion of the head and slot member, shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 61 Fig. 91s a similar view to that shown .in Fig. 1, illustrating the ilrstmodifled form oLthe invention.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectionon the line i0-i8,'

Fig. 15.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section on the line Fig. 12 'is a transverse section on the line 12-42, Fig. 15.

Fig. -13 is a longitudinal section of the device shown-in Fig. 9, just as the upper assembly attached tosteel cable has landed upon the lower member which transmits the cable pull to the mechanism to be moved by the wireline.

Fig. 14 is a development showing the arrangement of the slots formed between the actuator shells shown in Figs. 9, 13, and 15, the position of the shell corresponding to its position in Fig. 9. Fig. 1515a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly in outside view of the device shown in Figs. 9 and 13, with parts in engagement so that lands at a predetermined place in thedrill pipe.

a desired pull may be transmitted through the cable. Fig. 1c is a similar view to that shown lun 1 illustrating the second modified form of the invention.

Fig. 17 is a transverse section on line l'I-l1, Fig. 22.

Fig..18 is a transverse section on line lB- IB, Fig. 22.

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 16 with parts in engagement to transmit the cable pull after the cable is tightened.

Fig. 20 is a transverse section on Fig. 22.

Fig. 21 is a development showing the slots in actuator segment of Figs. 16, 19, and 22, the position of the segment corresponding to its position in Figs. 16 and 22.

Fig. 22 is a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly in outside view, of the device shown in Figs. 16 and 19, with parts in engagement so that a desired pull may be transmitted through the cable.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The discussion of the preferred embodiment of this invention will relate primarily to engaging the head 3a and administering one pull to the head, after which it will be released.

In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the drill pipe I is assumed to be positioned in a well bore, the device within the drill pipe beingshown disengaged. The finned guide 2 which supports the member 3 centrally of drill pipe I, is assumed to be attached at its lower. end to a piston, bit, core barrel, or other object (not shown) to be pulled upon and left in the well or to be withdrawn therefrom, to which the head 30 and the member 3 have connection.

The shell 4 is threadedly Joined to socket 5 within which the cable 6 is secured by lead, solder or babbitt I. The inner and outer surfaces of the cable socket 5 are tapered, the larger diameters being toward the lower end. The tapered outer surface is for the obvious purpose of minimizing the danger of engaging tool joints or other obstructions in the drill pipe while the device is being withdrawn. The inner tapered surface causes the lead, solder, or babbitt to more tightly engage the cable in case of any slippage between the. babbitt and the nipple 5 during a strong pull upon the cable. 7

The opposing ends of the lugs 4a and of the pins ic are positioned so as to allow between them free longitudinal movement of the part 3, as appears in Fig. 2. The lugs and pins, respectively, are preferably spaced l80apart. The slots 3b. likewise spaced 180 apart, are of such-width as will freely allow the lugs 40. to pass between them.

line 20-20,

The lugs are preferably somewhat wider than the diameter of the pins.

The lower pin pockets 3 and 3f and the upper pin pockets Sgand slots 3d are all uniformly spaced 90 apart around the actuator segment 310, as appears in Fig. 7. It also appears in Fig. '7 that the lower pockets are offset 45" with reference to the upper slots and pockets. If suitable 'machinery be available for broaching, it will be understood that the lugs 41: may be made integral with the shell 4. g

In operation for the purpose of engaging the head 3a and exerting one pull upon it, and then releasing the head so that the cable and shell 4 can be withdrawn from the drill pipe, shell 4 is lowered into the drill pipe as shown in Fig. 1 and allowed to descend to the position shown in Fig.

2, openings 4! being to allow for the expulsion of mud when the shell descends over the head 3a. In changing position from that shown in Fig. l to that shownin Fig. 2, the pins 4c, secured in place within shell 4 by welds 4d, are guided into slots 3b by sloping surfaces 3c and 3c, the bevel 4e, Figs. 2 and 6, serving initially to align shell 4 and head So.

The lugs 4a secured within shell 4 by welds 4b are directly aligned with the pins, and follow the pins downward into and through slots 3b until pins 4c land within lower pockets U (see Fig. 7), which shows the actuator segment 3k developed or rolled out. The bevels 4a, Fig. 6,

serve to help the pins guide the lugs into the slots 3b. The position of pins 40 just before they enter slots id is indicated at 40', Fig. 7.

As shell 4 is lowered still further the pins 40 are guided into slots 311 by bevels 3e. As the pins move downwardly they engage the sloping surfaces 3h by which they are guided into lower pockets 3) where the pins are indicated at 4c". The cable is now pulled upon raising the pins against the inclined surfaces 37', by which the pins are guided into upper pockets 3g, as appears in Figs. 6 and 7, in which position of the parts lugs 4a are under and engaging with the unslotted portion of head in, as appears in Figs. 3, 4, and

6. Again referring to Fig. 7, the pins are shown in the latter position at In this position it will be observed that there is slight clearance between the pins and upper end of pockets 3;: in order that the lugs 41: will engage under the head in without any pulling strain being absorbed by the pins; thus providing that all of the pulling strain will be upon the lugs. Manifestly, the upper pockets 39 can be substituted by open slots similar to the slots 3d without affecting the operation.

After the required force has been exerted by the lugs 4a under head So for the desired length of time, the. cable is again slackened; whereupon shell 4 with pins 4c and lugs 4a move downward until the pins engage upon the sloping surfaces 3h by which they are guided into lower pockets 3f in which position the pins are indicated at 40". To withdraw shell 4 from the drill pipe, the cable is again pulled upward, raising the pins against the sloping surfaces 37" by which they are guided into the open slots 3d.

The plate 49', secured in shell 4 by welds 4h, is so positioned that the rod-like upper extension 3p lands its tapered end Sq within a central depression in the lower side of this plate slightly before the pins 40 land upon the bottom of lower pockets 3! and 3], as appears in Figs. 2 and 7. The previously stated clearance above the pins to in the uppermost engaged position of shell 4 and the here stated clearance under the pins in the lowermost position of that shell provide that the pins do not absorb any of the cable pull during the upstroke or any of the shock when shell t lands, except the comparatively small force required to deflect the shell by the pins contacting the upper and lower sloping surfaces which impart the rotary movement to the pins. For this reason it seems apparent that the pockets 3/ and 3] may be of any desired depth or if desired may be formed as open slots since the bottoms thereof have no function to perform.

It ,will be observed in Figs. 1 and 3 that the slots 3b and id have their centers aligned upon the member 3 and that the lugs 40. and pins 40 are similarly aligned within the shell 4. The upper wedge shaped surface 30 is somewhat above apropos the companion wedge shaped surface 30' in order that the upper surface will guide the lower surface past the pins to without danger of th'se underlie the slots 8d; that the upper inclined surfaces 8! overlie the lower pockets 8!; that the lower inclined surfaces 'tn' underlie the upperv pockets 8g: and that the upper inclined surfeces 3i overlie the lower pockets 8)".

referring to Fig. 7, it will noted j @315 M pm 1:: ;i I: :|;r. as; :m is ugh the slot by which the er pin en tered this segment; that the pins have a cl slid fit within slots 3d in order to accurately guide the lugs to into bevels tm 2 slots db through which slots the l have a lit as the shell d becomes he so. By reference to served that the pins will new.

free =0.

end will guided within the slots 53d until the lugs have ente slots 8?).

s illustrates e ed to oi head 8 which may be employed to replace the head to,

l. The single slope the serves to pins the slots till) while the 12:-

til. corresponds to the ssh under heed M, Fig. 1, oil other portions of 1.1: part not shown be th easthoseoftheparthin. 1.

ii it is desired to lower is bit, core other part through the drill pipe, end 1 the pipe, the shell d and head d with the pins to in the tion sho 7, before the device is lowered into the pipe. When the assembly ids on bottom the pins land upon lower inclined surfecm 3h by which the pins are guided into the position own at 50"", and when the cable is rd the pins land upon upper inclined surfaces 31 by which they are guided into the open slots d, enabling the shell 6 to be withdrawn from .2 member 3, as

Y the male membeifl-as in the preferred form, and

placed in the shell in this ement.

The first modified form is operated in the emanner, and may be used for the e purposes as was stated for the preferred form.

The pin 8 secured through enlarged head so by welds 9a is positioned midway between slots 8b, as clearly appears in Fig. 11. The lugs it are oppositely positioned through the wells of shells ill and Ila within which they are secured by pins. The upper-section ll of the actuator or shell is secured within outer shell ill by welds Illa and by threaded connection with rod [4 which is in turn secured to cable socket nipple 13 by welds a and I317. The cabled may be secured within cable socket nipple II, similar to cable socket nipple 5, Fig. 1, by lead, solder, or babbitt I. It will be understood that the lugs it may be made integral with shell Ila and that if such construction be employed, the shell lid may be secured within shell '10 by welds similar to the welds its.

It being understood that the member 8 is 1 threadedly or otherwise secured to the member 2 upon which, itis desired to exert a pull and then release it, the shell Ill and connected parts are lowered into the drill pipe I by means of steel cable 6. The bevel lb and upper tapered end of head to cause'initial alignment of head and shell as the shell engages over the head, thefinned member 2 serving to hold the member 8 central of pipe i. Referring to Fig. 14, which shows theopposing ends of shell H and Ila developed or rolled out for a clear view oi; the slots, slopes, and pockets, it will be observed that the pin ends just before entering slots lic are indi- -csted at 8'. Descending slightly further, the extremities of pin 9 engage within upper pockets lid.

The two sloping surfaces lib and ill), Fig. 9, guide the extremities of pin 9 into oppositely positioned slots lie and at the same time guide welds 12a which welds not only secure the lugs in place but also secure outer shell it and actuator shell Ila together as appears in Figs. 12 and 15. The opposing ends of the lugs are spaced apart to freely allow longitudinal movement between them of the rod-like member 8 below head the lugs i2 into the oppositely disposed slots to, bevels dc aiding the lugs to find these slots on the downward thrust of the member ill, bevels 8d se 5 a. similar purpose when the cable is pulled upon. When the pin extremities contact upper sloping surfaces! is, Fig. 14, which guide the pin extremities into upper pockets lid, where the pin extremities are indicated as 9", the cable is then pulled upon until the pin extremities encounter the sloping surfaces Hf by which the pin extremities are guided into lower pockets Ila where they are indicated at 8" at which time the logs i2 are under and contacting the unslotted portion of head to (see Figs. 10, 12, and 15),

The slight clearance between the pins ends indicated at 9" and the bottom of lower slots Ila provides that all the cable pull is absorbed by the lugs; the purpose of the pin being to manipulate the lugs it into proper position to contact the unslotted portion of head to at the time of the cable pull. Such pulling force is now exerted upon the cable as may be desired;-after' which the cable is given slack until the pin ends contact the upper sloping surfaces He by which they are guided into upper pockets lid in which position they are indicated at 8"". The cable is again pulled upon until shell l0 and its contained assembly is raised. The pin extremities then contact lower sloping surfaces II)" by which they are guided into the open slots Hc, permitting shell l0 and its contained assembly to be withdrawn from the drill pipe by cable 6, because in this position of the parts the lugs l2 are again in alignment with the slots 8b of the head 8a. This is so because the slots 8b arepositioned in the head 6a around from pins 9 and the slots I to are positioned within the shell Ha 90 around from the lugs It. It will also be noted that the ends of pin 9 are engaged within the slots Hc while the lugs l2 are approaching the slots 8b from either direction and remain so engaged until the male and female members become fully engaged or disengaged. The four upper pockets I Id and lid areshown equally spaced 90 apart,

' of these surfaces will act as a pilot to guide the companion wedge past the ends of pin 9; thereby avoiding the possibility of both wedges becoming occasionally impinged upon the pin in the engaging movement. a

If it be desired to lower into'the pipe the head member 8, which may be a bit, core barrel, or the like, and leave it there, the male and female members may be assembled exteriorly of the well with the ends of pin 9 resting in lower pockets Ha. When the assembly lands and the cable is given slack the lower member will be released in the manner heretofore explained. Manifestly, the part so left in the drill pipe can be again fastened to for withdrawal by a return trip with shell ii), as is apparent from the previous explanation.

The second modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 16 to 22, both inclusive. This construction illustrates that a plurality of cable pulls and releases of the cable pull may be employed before the lower member will be released.

The head and slot member it may be attached to any of my said wire line well testing tools or, preferably, to a replaceable bit, core barrel, fishing tool or the like.

The lug i'i may be secured within the shell it by weld i'la, as appears in Figs, 16, 17, 19, and 22. Slight clearance is provided between the inner edge of this lug and themember if, as will appear from an examination of Figs. 17 and 19. The enlarged head His is cut away at iiib. to allow the head to pass the lug. The some what wedge shaped inclined surface We causes the pin ill to pilot the lug i! into position so that the lug and head can pass each other. The pin may be secured in shell i6 by weld Illa, as appears in Figs. 16, 18, and 19.

The head and slot member ilicorresponds to the similar member 3 of the preferred embodiment. Actuattor segment I50 is shown developed or rolled out in Fig. 21 wherein the pin I8Jis indicated at l8c just before it enters the slot lfid. The sloping surfaces le guide the pin l8 and lug i1 into the space formed by the cut away portion Nib, as is apparent in Figs. 16 and 22. The head and slot member l5 being disposed, as shown in Fig. 16, the shell member I6 and connected parts are lowered into the pipe lupon steel cable 6 until pin I8 and lug I! pass the head I50! and pin 08 after entering entrance and exit slot i5d lands upon lower sloping surface i5 Fig. 21, by which the pin is guided into one of the lower pockets where it is identified by the reference lBd. The cable is then pulled upon until the pin contacts the upper inclined surface l5g by which it is guided into the upper pocket where it is indicated at l8e. The cable is then given slack until the pin contacts the lower inclined surface l5h by which it is guided into another lower pocket in which it is identified by the reference lBf. The cable is again pulled upon until the pin contacts the upper inclined hit surface l5h by which it is guided into the upper pocket in which it is indicated at Ila. The cable is again given slack until the pin lands upon the lower inclined surface [5m where it is identified by the reference "It.

When the cable is again tightened the pin contacts the upper inclined surface 1511 by which it is guided into the upper pocket where it is identitled as We. The cable being again slackened, the pin contacts the lower inclined surface lBp by which it is guided into the lower pocket where it is shown at iiim. The cable being once more tightened, the pin engages the upper sloping surface itq by which it is guided into and out of slot idd, the place of entrance; thus completing the release of head ids. At each cable pull until the last, the head its was engaged under the lug ii.

The dotted-in position of the lug I! in Fig. 20 shows the relative position of the lug I1 and head the when the pin is in the position shown at iiie, Fig. 21. Each pull of the cable causes the lug to change position, with reference to the head, by This is true because the upper and lower pockets, respectively, are spaced around the circumference of segment I50 at regular intervals of 90, the slot iEd occupying one of these upper intervals; the circumferential ofifset between each of the proximate upper and lower pockets being 45. It will be observed that the pin it is still in slot id, in which it has a close sliding fit, as the lug I? is withdrawn into the cut away portion Nib of the head I511. The bevel I51 is to aid the pin ill and slot Ifidin guiding the lug ii into cut away portion iiib.

If the male and female members of this device be assembled before they are run into the pipe, it is apparent that the number of cable pulls required to release the lower member after it lands will be determined by which one of the upper pockets the pin is placed in when the device is lowered into the pipe. While the upper and lower pin pockets are shown separated by 90 in each embodiment, it is apparent that any other number of pockets may be employed. The

pockets should be, however, preferably, separated by uniform spacing, although the angles of the several slopes which cause the pins to rotate the female member could be diflerent one from the other and thereby permit irregular spacing of the slots if, for any reason, such spacing should be desired.

It is apparent that the upper and lower slopes in Figs. '7, 14, and 21 can be reversed to cause the pins to rotate the female member in the opposite direction if such should be desired.

In each embodiment of the invention the offset between the upper and lower pockets in Figs. '7, 14, and 21 may be more or less than 45; the only limitation as to the relative position of the upper and lower pockets being that the inclined surfaces opposing them must overlap the pockets so that the center of the pins will engage the sloping surfaces when the pins move out of the pockets.

Manifestly, many minorchanges in construction can be made within the scope and purpose of this invention as disclosed by the stated objects and appended claims.

I claim:

1. A releasable connection comprising a member having a head, and an actuator segment in spaced relation thereon, a cable, a shell attached to said cable and adapted to pass over the head and actuator segment, an inwardly projecting pin in said shell'to chic-8e the lower'suri'ace of said head to form an assembly which may be moved by a pull applied to the cable, and means carriedby said shell to meet with said actuator segment to release the shell by a predetermined series of pulls upon the cable. c 2'. A releble connection comprising a head,

an actuator, said head and actuator fixed spaced relation upon a member to be engaged and rel; a cable, a shell on said cable and adapted to p over-said head and said actuator segment, alined slots in'the head and actuator, spaced inwardly projecting pins in said shell, and means for rotating the shell to bring the uppermost of said pins into engagement with engagement with the head when the shell is lowered thereover and is thereafter lifted by the cable. ,1

a. A releasable-connection comprising a memher having a head thereon, a slot longitudinally of said head, a shell, said shell surrounding th member and head, a lug in said shell for 1"; a: through said slot and one ement with the nethmentioned means including-spin on one ofthe connector members and an actdatoronrtheothen'mfi of said in, a slot in said actuator adapted to receive said pin, and an anmilar series of gui surfaces ezable by the pin to produce relative rotation of the connector members to m :h ly orient the lug about the inner surface of the head.

I 8. A releasable connection comprising a first.

member having a head axial therewith, said head having two arcuate projections formed by opposite longitudinal peripheral slots, one of said projections being longer than the other, and an actuator in s relation to said head axial therewith, said actuator consisting of first and second segments in spaced relation to each other, the t segment being nearest to said head and having a plurality of slots, inclined for rotating the shell and bringing the lug into er surface of the head, a pin extending outwardly I from said head and means carried by the shell for engaging said pin and efiecting relative rotation between the sleeve and head to guide said lug into said slotand to thereafter release the lug from engagement with the head by a predetermined succession of pulls upon the cable.

5. A releasable connection comprising a mam ber heaving a head, an actuator segment on the member-in spaced relation with the head, longltudlnal slots in said head and segment, a shell assembly adapted to be moved over the memher and having spaced pins adapted to enter the slots, and an annular series of guiding surfaces on the actuator segment to be en ed by the foremost pin to angularly orient the assembly about the member.

6. A releasable connection comprising a her having a head, a slot longitudinally of said head, a wedge shaped outer surface on the head tapering toward said slot, a cable, a shell attached to said cable and adapted to over the head, spaced inwardly projecting pins in said shell, an actuator segment on said member, a

slot in said actuator adapted to receive one oi,

said pins, and an annular seriesof guiding sur faces on the segment engageable by such pin to rotate the shell and angularly orient the other pin about the inner surface of the head.

'7. A releasable connection comp a connector member having a head to be engaged and released, a slot longitudinally of the head, a second connector member comprising a assembly adapted to be moved over the headsaid assembly including 9. lug adapted to pass through the slot to engage the inner surface of the head so that a pull may be exerted upon the head by the assembly, andcoating-means on said head and in said shell for angularly orienting the lug about the inner surface of the head, said last surfaces andintermedlate pockets confronting but in slightly rotated relation to slots, pockets,

and inclined surfaces on said second segment so that the inclined surfaces of one segment overlap those of the other to place the pockets of said second segment opposite the inclined surfaces of said first sent, and a second mem ber comprising a shell adapted to slidably receive within it said head and actuator, said shell having two opposite lugs and opposite pins, the lugs and pins being adapted to pass through said slots of the head, the pins passing first to guide the lugs, the lugs in turn being adapted to enact with said slots of the head to guide the pins through the slots in the first of said segments until said pins engage two of the sloping surfaces of the second segment to be guided thereby into the pockets thereof as said members are telescopically engaged from which position two of the sloping surfaces of the first segment will cause rotation of said shell relative to said head I plurality of slots, pockets, and inclined surfaces when said first member and shell are telescopically moved in reverse direction to place said inclined surfaces of said second segment and into two other pockets thereof and by moving said members apart to force said pins against the opposed sloping surfaces of the-first segment and into the open slots thereof.

9. A releasable connection comprising-a first member having a head axial therewith, said head having two arcuate projections formed by opposite longitudinal peripheral slots, and having a sloping outer end, the. slope thereof being diagonally transverw of said slots, an actuator in relation to said head and axial therewith, said actuator consisting of first and secondsegments in spaced relation to each other. the first segment being nearest to said head and having a confronting, but in slightly rotated relation to slots, pockets, and inclined surfaces of said sec-- ond segment so that said inclined surfaces of one guide the lugs, the lugs in turn being adapted to coact with said slots of the head to guide the pins through the slots in the first of said segments until said pins engage two of the sloping surfaces of said second segment to be guided thereby into the pockets thereof as said memhers are telescopically engaged from which position two of the sloping surfaces of the first segment will cause rotation of said shell relative to said head when said first member and shell are telescopically moved in reverse direction to place said arcuate projections whereby said first and second members are locked together so as to become released by telescopically moving said members into deeper engage ment, forcing said pins upon two other inclined surfaces of said second segment and into two other poclrets thereof and by moving said members apart to force said pins against opposed sloping surfaces of the first segment and into the open slots thereof.

10. A releasable connection comprising a first member having a conical head axial therewith, said head having two opposite longitudinal slots forming two lateral projections each having a transverse pin central thereof, and a second member comprising a tubular shell having two opposed arcuate longitudinal ribs formed by two opposite internal slots, one of said ribs being longer than the other, two opposite lugs in said shell, each being central of one of said ribs, two series of inclined surfaces in spaced relation to each other, the space between said series having communication with said internal slots of said second member, said shell being adapted to telescope said head so that said pins will enter said internal slots and contact two of said inclined surfaces to cause partial rotation of said members relative to each other at the limit of such telescopic engagement, such rotation continuing by similar action of said pins relative to other surfaces of said series as said members are moved apart, whereupon said lugs will engage said lateral projections to locl; said members together until said telescopic movement urging said members together is repeated and reversed, whereupon by similar action of said pins relative to others of said surfaces, said pins and internal slots will be brought again into alignment to separate said members.

in contact with said lugs,

berg opposite said flat surface, the pin passing first to guide the lug and the lug in turn being adapted to coact with said, flat surface to guide the head, thereby until said pin passes through said slot of the first segment and engages one of the sloping surfaces thereof to be moved opposite a sloplng'surface of the first segment and to he moved farther in the same direction by a slight parting movement of said members, thereby placing said head in locked rclatlonto said lug from which position the other sloping surfaces will urge said pin to rotate said members continually relative to each other as they are telescopically urged alternately together and apart to maintain said locked engagement until said flat surface again confronts said lug to release the connection.

12. In a releasing connection, the combination of a male and a female member adapted to have telescopic relation with each other, a pin and a lug in the female member, the pin being proximate one end thereof and the lug being inward of the pin, a lonfi'itudlnally slotted head on the male member, sad slot being adapted to admit said pin and lug, an actuator on said male member, said actuator being in two aligned segments,

- the first segment being nearest to said head and till 11. A releasable connection comprising a firstmember having a head axial therewith and having a longitudinal fiat surface on one side thereof, a sloping end terminating in a peripheral circular knife-edged point, an actuatorir spaced relation to said head and axial therewith, said actuator consisting of a first and a second segment in spaced relation to each other, the one of said segments nearest to said head having a slot and inclined surfaces confronting but in slightly rotated relation to inclined surfaces .on said second segment so that said incl ned surfaces overlap each other, and a. second member having a shell adapted to telescopically receive said head and actuator, said shell having an internal lug and a pin in spaced relation to said lug, said pin being adapted to pass through the clearance between said first and second memhaving a series of slots and inclined surfaces and the other of said segments having a series of inclined surfaces and pockets, said inclined surfaces and slots of the first segment being in slightly revolved relation to the inclined surfaces and pockets of the second segment, said pin being adapted to pass through one of the slots in said first segment and to coact with said inclined surfaces of both segments to engage and disengage said head with said lugs responsive to reciprocatory telescopic movements of said members, and a closure in said shell to limit the depth of such telescopic engagement independently of said pins and inclined surfaces.

13. In a releasing connection, the combination of a male and a female member adapted to have telescopic relation with each other, a plurality of pins and lugs in the female member, the pins being proximate one end thereof and the lugs being'inward of the pins, a longitudinally slotted head on the male member, said slots being adapted to admit said pins and lugs, an actuator on said male member, said actuator being in two segments aligned with said head, the first segment being nearest to said head and having a series of slots and inclinedsurfaces and the other of said segments having a series of inclined surfaces, said inclined surfaces of the first segment being in slightly revolved relation to the inclined surfaces of the second segment, said pins being adapted to pass through said slots in the first secment and to coact with said inclined surfaces of both segments to engage and disengage said head with said lug responsive to reciprocating telescopic movements of said members, and means independent of said pins and inclined surfaces to limit the depth of such telescopic engagement.

ALEXANDER BOY'NTON. 

